'List' of 'persuasive' words and phrases for Y8 English..

[ProperLush]

DS1 has to pick 'something' and prepare and give a short persuasive speech about it.

It's become homework.

DS1 isn't allegedly daft (he got 5.8 for his assessment just before half term, so is middling in a good comp) BUT there has been blood, sweat and tears over this! He just isn't sorting himself at all and we're having some 'pre-adolescent moments' about it.

Now, I am not going to do it for him. Bear in mind that he goes to a state comp. A very average effort for this, in the midst of 26 other DCs efforts, wouldn't 'earn' him the slight ticking off it should. There is a real danger of him 'getting away with it' except as yet he's barely put pen to paper about it! And he's in that 'lost year' of Y8... So, as a 'concerned parent', I am willing to step in and provide some guidance. I also don't want this h/w to drag into a second weekend!

Initially he picked 'Artificial Intelligence: Should we be concerned?' taking the 'no' angle. It's now become obvious none of us knows enough about AI and its development to argue the case coherently!

So it's now 'Traditional books are better than e-books'. I think this is quite a good topic as though he'd have no trouble convincing his grandparents, he'll have to 'work' to convince fellow techie Y8s! I have already explained to him that real skill in debate is persuading someone to believe something you don't believe yourself...

So, with all that said, can anyone direct me to a place where there are lots of appropriate persuasive words and phrases he can build into his argument, please? I can think of loads but I'd prefer, seeing as I have stepped in, to do no more than print a list out and say 'there you go'. Most of what I've found is aimed at younger kids, incidentally!

TIA

Properlush Hi there, I see you have had no replies so far so here goes:
Go to BBC Bitesize Key Stage 3 English. Click on Writing, then click on Writing to Argue,persuad and advise.
That gives you three choices and you click on the one PERSUADE.
This gives you a whole page of useful hints on how to write to persuade.
Dare I say that the teacher should/could have given them this kind of guidance?
Good luck!

Sorry. Coming in from the English teacher view here....is he being assessed on the written part or the spoken part? They are assessed in very different ways and I would be looking for different things. Is he worried because he will be expected to stand up infront of the rest of the class?

If in doubt, email the teacher to ask for more guidance. I don't know anybody who wouldn't welcome that! At Year 8, it is probably an introduction to speaking and listening and so they're probably just looking to see what the kids come up with. No teacher would want you to be stressing about it at this stage!

Fair question- I actually think- both! I think there has to be a written component then a 2 minute presentation which appears to be more or less reading it out.

Email the teacher? I wish! We are 'allowed' no contact with DS's teachers whatsoever. It is an 'outstanding' state comp in a very middle class area and I think the feeling is 'You deliver your child to us, we deliver GCSE passes unto you'- which they do!

Search the mainstream online newspapers for the subject ? Google big project news for links ? they are awash with power packed language and catchy phrases. Google also Creative Writing Magic Money Cards. As for persuasive confident talking, watching some TV news interviews might offer some hints.

Thanks all!

Can't think of any words of phrases as such but there are techniques which will help.
Use rhetorical questions which makes the reader think. e.g. How would you feel if you all paper books were obsolete?
Try using repetition - works with most words 'What if...', 'Think about' at the start of a series of powerful questions.
Hyperbole or exaggeration will be useful if used sparingly
Finally use personal pronouns so the audience's attention is held because you are addressing them.
HTH

He could use sales language strategies. Ask questions that are guaranteed a specific answer, that build towards his argument.
E.g. Ask: If you've built up a collection of things you care about, would you like to lose it in one go?
Obviously the answer is No. He can then argue: That's what happens when a Kindle gets lost, stolen or goes on the blink - all your books are lost in one go.
Do you like to share good experiences with others?
It's easier to loan a book than an e-book.
Have you ever read a book so brilliant you can't put it down?
A book survives being dropped in the bath or getting sand in its spine. An e-book might break.
Do you love getting headaches and itchy eyes?
No? Step away from the screen.
Etc.
So far the argument has been phrased in a way that most people are likely to agree with the stages of his argument, which makes it easier for them to vote for it.

Leave a paperback on the train - lose £1:99
Leave a Kindle on the train lose ninety quid and all your books.
Case solved.

Plus... you can use a paperback to wipe your arse, blow your nose, scribble down the number of that girl you just met, break a window (if folded correctly), start a fire, turn pages into paper darts to send messages to the resistance accross the prison camp fence, use as a classic "book code" (virtually impossible to crack), as extra lining for a sleeping bag, for origami, (I could go on)... A kindle on the other hand is just a kindle. And when it goes wrong it's just a door stop.